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gsting  Materials 


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for  Cf;?S£I5t 


Adopted  by  Cor  :   tttee,  June  xx.  1004 


PreB«mted  at  the   Annual   Meeting 


Suite  17,  1904 


Cv  ^iirtment 

dine  -  Steel  C:-:\y>aaxy 


UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA 
AT  LOS  ANGELES 


GIFT  OP 

C.    v;.    BDYNTON 


Report  of  Committee 


on 


Standard  Specifications 
for  Cement 

Adopted  by  Committee,  June  1 1 
1904,  Presented  at  the  Annual 
Meeting  June  17,  1904 


American  Society  for  Testing 
Materials 


American 
Society  for  Testing  Materials 

Affiliated  with  the  International  Association 
for  Testing  Materials 


Committee  on  Standard  Specifications 
for  Cement 


George  F.  Swain,  Chairman, 
Professor  Civil  Engineering,  Massachusetts  Institute  Technology,  Boston,  Mass. 

George  S.  Webster,  Vice-Chairman, 
Chief  Engineer  and  Surveyor,  Bureau  of  Surveys,  Philadelphia. 

Richard  L.  Humphrey,  Secretary, 
Consulting  Engineer  and  Chemist,  Harrison  Building,  Philadelphia. 


F.    H.   Bainbridge,    Assistant    Engineer, 

Bridges  and  Buildings,  Illinois  Central 

Railroad. 
Booth,   Garrett  &   Blair,   Engineers  and 

Chemists,  Philadelphia. 
C.  W.   Boynton,   Inspector  of  Cements, 

Baltimore  &  Ohio  Railroad,  Wheeling, 

W.  Va. 
Spencer  Cosby,  Major  Corps  of  Engineers, 

U.  S.  A.,  Philippines. 
A.  W.  Dow,  Inspector  of   Asphalts  and 

Cements,  Washington,  D.  C. 


Andreas  Lundteigen,  Asst.  Manager  Peer- 

less Portland  Cement  Co.,  Union  City, 

Michigan. 
Charles  F.  McKenna,  Consulting  Chemist, 

New  York. 
W.   W.   Maclay,  President,   Glens   Falls 

Portland  Cement  Co.,  Glens  Falls,  N.Y. 
Charles  A.   Matcham,    Manager    Lehigh 

Portland   Cement  Co.,   Allentown,  Pa. 
Spencer  B.  Newberry,  Manager  Sandusky 

Portland  Cement  Co.,  Sandusky,  O. 
J.  M.  Porter,  Professor  Civil  Engineering, 


WMMHW,  .T  ooiui.giv..,  j...  j .  M.  ±-orter,  rroiessor  Civil  Knj 

L.    Henry    Dumary,    President,   Holder-  Lafayette  College,  Easton,  Pa. 

berg  Cement  Co.,  Albany,  N.  Y.  Joseph  T.  Richards,  Chief  Ens 


A.  F.  Gerstell,  General  Manager,  Alpha 

Portland  Cement  Co.,  Easton,  Pa. 
Edward  M.  Hagar,  Manager  Cement  De- 

partment, Illinois  Steel  Co.,  Chicago,  111. 
Wm.  H.  Harding,   President,  Bonneville 

Portland  Cement  Co.,  Philadelphia. 
Olaf  Hofi,  Engineer  of  Structures,  New 

York  Central  and  Hudson  River  Rail- 

road,  New  York. 
Lathbury  &   Spackman,    Engineers    and 

Chemists,  Philadelphia. 
Robert  W.   Lesley,  President  American 

Cement  Co.,  Philadelphia. 
F.  H.  Lewis,  Manager  Virginia  Portland 

Cement  Co.,  Fordwick,  Va. 
John  B.  Lober,  President  Vulcanite  Port- 

land Cement  Co.,  Philadelphia. 


Joseph  T.  Richards,  Chief  Engineer  M. 

of  W.,  Pennsylvania  R.  R.,  Philadelphia. 
Clifford  Richardson,  Director,  New  York 

Testing  Laboratory,  Long  Island  City, 

Louis  C.  Sabin,  Asst.  Engineer,  U.  S. 
Engineer'  Office,  SaultSte.  Marie,  Mich. 

Harry  J.  Seaman,  Supt.,  Atlas  Portland 
Cement  Co.,  Northampton,  Pa. 

S.  S.  Voorhees,  Engineer  of  Tests,  Super- 
vising Architect's  Office,  Washington, 

W.  S.  Eames,  President  American  Insti- 
tute of  Architects,  St.  Louis,  Mo. 

H.  G.  Kelly,  Vice  -President  American 
Railway  Engineering  and  Maintenance 
of  Way  Association,  Minneapolis  Minn. 


AS)  r 

American  Society  for   Testing    Materials 

Report   of  Committee 
on 

Standard   Specifications  for 
Cement 


GENERAL  OBSERVATIONS. 

1.  These  remarks  have  been  prepared  with  a  view  of  point- 
ing out  the  pertinent  features  of  the  various  requirements  and 
the  precautions  to  be  observed  in  the  interpretation  of  the 
results  of  the  tests. 

2.  The  Committee  would  suggest  that  the  acceptance  or 
rejection  under  these  specifications  be  based  on  tests  made  by 
an  experienced  person  having  the  proper  means  for  making  the 
tests. 

Specific  Gravity. 

3.  Specific  gravity  is  useful  in  detecting  adulteration  or 
under-burning.    The  results  of  tests  of  specific  gravity  are  not 
necessarily  conclusive  as  an  indication  of  the  quality  of  a 
cement,  but  when  in  combination  with  the  results  of  other  tests 
may  afford  valuable  indications. 

Fineness. 

4.  The  sieves  should  be  kept  thoroughly  dry. 

Time  of  Setting. 

5.  Great  care  should  be  exercised  to  maintain  the  test  pieces 
under  as  uniform  conditions  as  possible.    A  sudden  change  or 
wide  range  of  temperature  in  the  room  in  which  tests  are  made, 
a  very  dry  or  humid  atmosphere,  and  other  irregularities  vitally 
affect  the  rate  of  setting. 


181982 


Report  of  Committee  on  Standard  Specifications  for  Cement 

Tensile  Strength. 

6.  Each  consumer  must  fix  the  minimum  requirements  for 
tensile  strength  to  suit  his  own  conditions.    They  shall,  how- 
ever, be  within  the  limits  stated. 

Constancy  of  Volume. 

7.  The  tests  for  constancy  of  volume  are  divided  into  two 
classes,  the  first  normal,  the  second  accelerated.     The  latter 
should  be  regarded  as  a  precautionary  test  only,  and  not  infal- 
lible.    So  many  conditions  enter  into  the  making  and  inter- 
preting of  it  that  it  should  be  used  with  extreme  care. 

8.  In  making  the  pats  the  greatest  care  should  be  exercised 
to  avoid  initial  strains  due  to  molding  or  to  too  rapid  drying-out 
during  the  first  twenty-four  hours.     The  pats  should  be  pre- 
served under  the  most  uniform  conditions  possible,  and  rapid 
changes  of  temperature  should  be  avoided. 

9.  The  failure  to  meet  the  requirements  of  the  accelerated 
tests  need  not  be  sufficient  cause  for  rejection.    The  cement 
may,  however,  be  held  for  twenty-eight  days,  and  a  retest 
made  at  the  end  of  that  period.     Failure  to  meet  the  require- 
ments at  this  time  should  be  considered  sufficient  cause  for 
rejection,  although  in  the  present  state  of  our  knowledge  it 
cannot  be  said  that  such  failure  necessarily  indicates  unsound- 
ness,  nor  can  the  cement  be  considered  entirely  satisfactory 
simply  because  it  passes  the  tests. 


Report  of  Committee  on  Standard  Specifications  for  Cement 

Standard  Specifications  for  Cement. 

GENERAL  CONDITIONS. 

1.  All  cement  shall  be  inspected. 

2.  Cement  may  be  inspected  either  at  the  place  of  manu- 
facture or  on  the  work. 

3.  In  order  to  allow  ample  time  for  inspecting  and  testing, 
the  cement  should  be  stored  in  a  suitable  weather-tight  build- 
ing having  the  floor  properly  blocked  or  raised  from  the  ground. 

4.  The  cement  shall  be  stored  in  such  a  manner  as  to  per- 
mit easy  access  for  proper  inspection  and  identification  of  each 
shipment. 

5.  Every  facility  shall  be  provided  by  the  Contractor  and  a 
period  of  at  least  twelve  days  allowed  for  the  inspection  and 
necessary  tests. 

6.  Cement  shall  be  delivered  in  suitable  packages  with  the 
brand  and  name  of  manufacturer  plainly  marked  thereon. 

7.  A  bag  of  cement  shall  contain  94  pounds  of  cement  net. 
Each  barrel  of  Portland  cement  shall  contain  4  bags,  and  each 
barrel  of  natural  cement  shall  contain  3  bags  of  the  above  net 
weight. 

8.  Cement  failing  to  meet  the  seven-day  requirements  may 
be  held  awaiting  the  results  of  the  twenty-eight  day  tests 
before  rejection. 

9.  All  tests  shall  be  made  in  accordance  with  the  methods 
proposed  by  the  Committee  on  Uniform  Tests  of  Cement  of  the 
American  Society  of  Civil  Engineers,  presented  to  the  Society 
January  21,  1903,  and  amended  January  20,  1904,  with  all  sub- 
sequent amendments  thereto.     (See  addendum  to  these  speci- 
fications.) 

10.  The  acceptance  or  rejection  shall  be  based  on  the  fol- 
lowing requirements : 

NATURAL  CEMENT. 

11.  Definition.     This  term  shall  be  applied  to  the  finely  pul- 
verized product  resulting  from  the  calcination  of  an  argilla- 
ceous limestone  at  a  temperature  only  sufficient  to  drive  off 
the  carbonic  acid  gas. 

5 


Report  of  Committee  on  Standard  Specifications  for  Cement 

Specific  Gravity. 

12.  The  specific  gravity  of  the  cement  thoroughly  dried  at 
100°  C,  shall  be  not  less  than  2.8. 

Fineness. 

13.  It  shall  leave  by  weight  a  residue  of  not  more  than  10% 
on  the  No.  100,  and  30%  on  the  No.  200  sieve. 

Time  of  Setting. 

14.  It  shall  develop  initial  set  in  not  less  than  ten  minutes, 
and  hard  set  in  not  less  than  thirty  minutes,  nor  more  than 
three  hours. 

Tensile  Strength. 

15.  The   minimum   requirements   for  tensile  strength  for 
briquettes  one  inch  square  in  cross  section  shall  be  within  the 
following  limits,  and  shall  show  no  retrogression  in  strength 
within  the  periods  specified:* 

Age.  Neat  Cement.  Strength. 

24  hours  in  moist  air 50-100  Ibs. 

7  days  ( 1  day  in  moist  air,  6  days  in  water) . . .  100-200     " 
28  days  (1     "          "       "27     "  "      ).... 200-300    " 

One  Part  Cement,  Three  Parts  Standard  Sand. 

7  days  (1  day  in  moist  air,  6  days  in  water) 25-75     " 

28  days  (1     "          "       "  27     "  "       )....  75-150    ] 

Constancy  of  Volume. 

16.  Pats  of  neat  cement  about  three  inches  in  diameter, 
one-half  inch  thick  at  centre,  tapering  to  a  thin  edge,  shall  be 
kept  in  moist  air  for  a  period  of  twenty-four  hours. 

(a)  A  pat  is  then  kept  in  air  at  normal  temperature. 
(V)  Another  is  kept  in  water  maintained  as  near  70°  F.  as 
practicable. 


*For  example  the  minimum  requirement  for  the  twenty-four  hour  neat 
cement  test  should  be  some  value  within  the  limits  of  50  and  100  pounds, 
and  so  on  for  each  period  stated. 

6 


Report  of  Committee  on  Standard  Specifications  for  Cement 

17.  These  pats  are  observed  at  intervals  for  at  least  28 
days,  and,  to  satisfactorily  pass  the  tests,  should  remain  firm 
and  hard  and  show  no  signs  of  distortion,  checking,  cracking 
or  disintegrating. 

PORTLAND  CEMENT. 

18.  Definition.     This  term  is  applied  to  the  finely  pulver- 
ized product  resulting  from  the  calcination  to  incipient  fusion 
of  an  intimate  mixture  of  properly  proportioned  argillaceous 
and  calcareous  materials,  and  to  which  no  addition  greater 
than  3%  has  been  made  subsequent  to  calcination. 

Specific  Gravity. 

19.  The  specific  gravity  of  the  cement,  thoroughly  dried  at 
100°  C,  shall  be  not  less  than  3.10. 

Fineness. 

20.  It  shall  leave  by  weight  a  residue  of  not  more  than  8% 
on  the  No.  100,  and  not  more  than  25%  on  the  No.  200  sieve. 

Time  of  Setting. 

21.  It  shall  develop  initial  set  in  not  less  than  thirty  min- 
utes, but  must  develop  hard  set  in  not  less  than  one  hour,  nor 
more  than  ten  hours. 

Tensile  Strength. 

22.  The  minimum   requirements   for  tensile  strength   for 
briquettes  one  inch  square  in  section  shall  be  within  the  follow- 
ing limits,  and  shall  show  no  retrogression  in  strength  within 
the  periods  specified:* 

Age.  Neat  Cement.  Strength. 

24  hours  in  moist  air 150-200  Ibs. 

7  days  (1  day  in  moist  air,  6  days  in  water)  .  . .  .450-550 
28  days  (1     "  "       "27     "  "      ).... 550-650    " 


*For  example  the  minimum  requirement  for  the  twenty-four  hour  neat 
cement  test  should  be  some  value  within  the  limits  of  150  and  200  pounds 
and  so  on  for  each  period  stated. 


Report  of  Committee  on  Standard  Specifications  for  Cement 

One  Part  Cement,  Three  Parts  Sand. 

7  days  (1  day  in  moist  air,  6  days  in  water) ....  150-200  Ibs. 
28  days  (1     "  "       "27     "  "      ).... 200-300    " 

Constancy  of  Volume. 

23.  Pats  of  neat  cement  about  three  inches  in  diameter, 
one-half  inch  thick  at  the  centre,  and  tapering  to  a  thin  edge, 
shall  be  kept  in  moist  air  for  a  period  of  twenty-four  hours. 

(a)  A  pat  is  then  kept  in  air  at  normal  temperature  and 
observed  at  intervals  for  at  least  28  days. 

(b)  Another  pat  is  kept  in  water  maintained  as  near  70°  F. 
as  practicable,  and  observed  at  intervals  for  at  least  28  days. 

(c)  A  third  pat  is  exposed  in  any  convenient  way  in  an 
atmosphere  of  steam,  above  boiling  water,  in  a  loosely  closed 
vessel  for  five  hours. 

24.  These  pats,  to  satisfactorily  pass  the  requirements,  shall 
remain  firm  and  hard  and  show  no  signs  of  distortion,  check- 
ing, cracking  or  disintegrating. 

Sulphuric  Acid  and  Magnesia. 

25.  The   cement  shall   not   contain   more   than    1.75%   of 
anhydrous  sulphuric  acid  (SO8),  nor  more  than  4%  of  mag- 
nesia (MgO). 

Submitted  on  behalf  of  the  committee. 

GEORGE  F.  SWAIN,  Chairman. 

GEORGE  S.  WEBSTER,  Vice-Chairman. 

RICHARD  L.  HUMPHREY,  Secretary. 
F.  H.  Bainbridge.  Andreas  Lundteigen. 

Booth,  Garrett  &  Blair.  Charles  F.  McKenna. 

C.  W.  Boynton.  W.  W.  Maclay. 

Spencer  Cosby.  Charles  A.  Matcham. 

A.  W.  Dow.  Spencer  B.  Newberry. 

L.  Henry  Dumary.  J.  M.  Porter. 

A.  F.  Gerstell.  Joseph  T.  Richards. 

Edward  M.  Hagar.  Clifford  Richardson. 

W.  H.  Harding.  L.  C.  Sabin. 

Olaf  Hoff.  Harry  J.  Seaman. 

Lathbury  and  Spackman.          S.  S.  Voorhees. 
Robert  W.  Lesley.  W.  S.  Fames. 

F.  H.  Lewis.  H.  G.  Kelly. 

John  B.  Lober. 


Report  of  Committee  on  Standard  Specifications  for  Cement 

ADDENDUM. 

ABSTRACT  OF  METHODS  RECOMMENDED  BY  THE  SPECIAL 

COMMITTEE  ON  UNIFORM  TESTS  OF  CEMENT  OF  THE 

AMERICAN  SOCIETY  OF  CIVIL  ENGINEERS. 


Sampling. 

1. — Selection  of  Sample. — The  sample  shall  be  a  fair  average  of  the 
contents  of  the  package;  it  is  recommended  that,  where  conditions  permit, 
one  barrel  in  every  ten  be  sampled. 

2. — All  samples  should  be  passed  through  a  sieve  having  twenty 
meshes  per  linear  inch,  in  order  to  break  up  lumps  and  remove  foreign 
material ;  this  is  also  a  very  effective  method  for  mixing  them  together 
in  order  to  obtain  an  average.  For  determining  the  characteristics  of  a 
shipment  of  cement,  the  individual  samples  may  be  mixed  and  the  average 
tested;  where  time  will  permit,  however,  it  is  recommended  that  they  be 
tested  separately. 

3. — Method  of  Sampling. — Cement  in  barrels  should  be  sampled 
through  a  hole  made  in  the  center  of  one  of  the  staves,  midway  between 
the  heads,  or  in  the  head,  by  means  of  an  auger  or  a  sampling  iron  similar 
to  that  used  by  sugar  inspectors.  If  in  bags,  it  should  be  taken  from 
surface  to  center. 

Chemical  Analysis. 

4. — Method. — As  a  method  to  be  followed  for  the  analysis  of  cement, 
that  proposed  by  the  Committee  on  Uniformity  in  the  Analysis  of  Mate- 
rials for  the  Portland  Cement  Industry,  of  New  York  Section  of  the 
Society  for  Chemical  Industry,  and  published  in  the  Journal  of  the  Society 
for  January  15,  1902,  is  recommended. 

Specific  Gravity. 

5. — Apparatus  and  Method. — The  determination  of  specific  gravity  is 
most  conveniently  made  with  Le  Chatelier's  apparatus.  This  consists 
of  a  flask  (D),  Fig.  1,  of  120  cu.  cm.  (7.32  cu.  ins.)  capacity;  the  neck  of 
which  is  about  20  cm.  (7.87  ins.)  long;  in  the  middle  of  this  neck  is  a  bulb 
(C),  above  and  below  which  are  two  marks  (F)  and  (£)  ;  the  volume 
between  these  marks  is  20  cu.  cm.  (1.22  cu.  ins.).  The  neck  has  a  diameter 
of  about  9  mm.  (o.35  in.),  and  is  graduated  into  tenths  of  cubic  centi- 
meters above  the  mark  (F). 

6 — Benzine  (62  Baume  naphtha),  or  kerosene  free  from  water,  should 
be  used  in  making  the  determination. 


Report  of  Committee  on  Standard  Specifications  for  Cement 


LE  CHATELIER'S  SPECIFIC  GRAVITY  APPARATUS. 

FIG.  1. 

7. — The  specific  gravity  can  be  determined  in  two  ways: 
(1)  The  flask  is  filled  with  either  of  these  liquids  to  the  lower  mark 
(£),  and  64  gr.  (2.25  oz.)  of  powder,  previously  dried  at  100°  C.  (212  F.) 
and  cooled  to  the  temperature  of  the  liquid,  is  gradually  introduced 
through  the  funnel  (B)  [the  stem  of  which  extends  into  the  flask  to  the 
top  of  the  bulb  (C)],  until  the  upper  mark  (F)  is  reached.  The  difference 
in  weight  between  the  cement  remaining  and  the  original  quantity  (64  gr.) 
is  the  weight  which  has  displaced  20  cu.  cm. 

8. — (2)     The  whole  quantity  of  the  powder  is   introduced,  and  the 
level  of  the  liquid  rises  to  some  division  of  the  graduated  neck.     This 
reading  plus  20  cu.  cm.  is  the  volume  displaced  by  64  gr.  of  the  powder. 
9. — The  specific  gravity  is  then  obtained  from  the  formula : 

Weight  of  Cement 

Specific  Gravity  = 

Displaced    Volume. 


Report  of  Committee  on  Standard  Specifications  for  Cement 

10. — The  flask,  during  the  operation,  is  kept  immersed  in  water  in 
a  jar  (A),  in  order  to  avoid  variations  in  the  temperature  of  the  liquid. 
The  results  should  agree  within  0.01. 

11. — A  convenient  method  for  cleaning  the  apparatus  is  as  follows: 
The  flask  is  inverted  over  a  large  vessel,  preferably  a  glass  jar,  and  shaken 
vertically  until  the  liquid  starts  to  flow  freely;  it  is  then  held  still  in  a 
vertical  position  until  empty;  the  remaining  traces  of  cement  can  be 
removed  in  a  similar  manner  by  pouring  into  the  flask  a  small  quantity 
of  clean  liquid  and  repeating  the  operation. 

Fineness. 

12. — Apparatus. — The  sieves  should  be  circular  about  20  cm.  (7.87 
ins.)  in  diameter,  6  cm.  (2.36  ins.)  high,  and  provided  with  a  pan  5  cm. 
(1.97  ins.)  deep,  and  a  cover. 

13. — The  wire  cloth  should  be  woven  (not  twilled)  from  brass  wire 
having  the  following  diameters : 

No.  100,  0.0045  in.;  No.  200,  0.0024  in. 

14. — This  cloth  should  be  mounted  on  the  frames  without  distortion; 
the  mesh  should  be  regular  in  spacing  and  be  within  the  following  limits : 
No.  100,  96  to  100  meshes  to  the  linear  inch. 
No.  200,  188  to  200       "  "       " 

15.— Fifty  gram.  (1.76  oz.)  or  100  gr.  (3.52  oz.)  should  be  used  for 
the  test,  and  dried  at  a  temperature  of  100°  C.  (212°  F.)  prior  to  sieving. 

16. — Method. — The  thoroughly  dried  and  coarsely  screened  sample 
is  weighed  and  placed  on  the  No.  200  sieve,  which,  with  pan  and  cover 
attached,  is  held  in  one  hand  in  a  slightly  inclined  position,  and  moved 
forward  and  backward,  at  the  same  time  striking  the  side  gently  with  the 
palm  of  the  other  hand,  at  the  rate  of  about  200  strokes  per  minute.  The 
operation  is  continued  until  not  more  than  one-tenth  of  1  per  cent  passes 
through  after  one  minute  of  continuous  sieving.  The  residue  is  weighed, 
then  placed  on  the  No.  100  sieve  and  the  operation  repeated.  The  work 
may  be  expedited  by  placing  in  the  sieve  a  small  quantity  of  large  shot. 
The  result  should  be  reported  to  the  nearest  tenth  of  1  per  cent. 

Normal  Consistency. 

17. — Method. — This  can  best  be  determined  by  means  of  Vicat  Needle 
Apparatus,  which  consists  of  a  frame  (K),  Fig.  2,  bearing  a  movable  rod 
(L),  with  the  cap  (A)  at  one  end,  and  at  the  other  the  cylinder  (5),  1  cm. 
(0.39  in.)  in  diameter,  the  cap,  rod  and  cylinder  weighing  300  gr.  (10.58 
oz.).  The  rod,  which  can  be  held  in  any  desired  position  by  a  screw  (F), 
carries  an  indicator,  which  moves  over  a  scale  (graduated  to  centimeters) 
attached  to  the  frame  (K).  The  paste  is  held  by  a  conical,  hard-rubber 
ring  (/),  7  cm.  (2.76  ins.)  in  diameter  at  the  base,  4  cm.  (1.57  ins.)  high 
resting  on  a  glass  plate  (/),  about  10  cm.  (3.94  ins.)  square. 


Report  of  Committee  on  Standard  Specifications  for  Cement 

18. — In  making  the  determination,  the  same  quantity  of  cement  as 
will  be  subsequently  used  for  each  batch  in  making  the  briquettes  (but 
not  less  than  500  grams)  is  kneaded  into  a  paste,  as  described  in  paragraph 
39,  and  quickly  formed  into  a  ball  with  the  hands,  completing  the  opera- 
tion by  tossing  it  six  times  from  one  hand  to  the  other,  maintained  6  ins. 
apart;  the  ball  is  then  pressed  into  the  rubber  ring,  through  the  larger 
opening,  smoothed  off,  and  placed  (on  its  large  end)  on  a  glass  plate  and 
the  smaller  end  smoothed  off  with  a  trowel;  the  paste,  confined  in  the 
ring,  resting  on  the  plate,  is  placed  under  the  rod  bearing  the  cylinder, 
which  is  brought  in  contact  with  the  surface  and  quickly  released. 

19. — The  paste  is  of  normal  consistency  when  the  cylinder  penetrates 
to  a  point  in  the  mass  10  mm.  (0.39  in.)  below  the  top  of  the  ring.  Great 
care  must  be  taken  to  fill  the  ring  exactly  to  the  top. 

20. — The  trial  pastes  are  made  with  varying  percentages  of  water 
until  the  correct  consistency  is  obtained. 


VICAT  NEEDLE. 
FIG.  2. 


Report  of  Committee  on  Standard  Specifications  for  Cement 


Note.  The  Committee  on  Standard  Specifications  inserts  the  follow- 
ing table  for  temporary  use  to  be  replaced  by  one  to  be  devised  by  the 
Committee  of  the  American  Society  of  Civil  Engineers. 

Percentage  of  Water  for  Standard  Mixtures. 


Nf<lt      f~f       T_O      1—1      T—  A     I  —  C 

18 

12.0 

IO.O 

*  J 

9.0 

*   *T 

8.4 

8.0 

33 

17.0 

13-3 

•  j 
II.5 

*  t- 

10.4 

;i 

19 

12.3 

10.2 

9.2 

§'5 

8.1 

34 

17-3 

13.6 

"•7 

10.5 

9-7 

20 
21 

12.7 
13.0 

10.4 

10.7 

9-3 
9-5 

8.7 
8.8 

8.2 

8-3 

ii 

17.7 
18.0 

13-8 
14.0 

n.  8 

12.0 

10.7 
10.8 

9.9 

IO.O 

22 

13-3 

lO.g 

9-7 

8.9 

8.4 

37 

18.3 

14.2 

12.2 

10.9 

10.  1 

23 

13-7 

II.  I 

9.8 

9.1 

8.5 

38 

18.7 

14.4 

12.3 

n.  i 

10.2 

24 

25 

14.0 
14-3 

n.  3 
n.  6 

IO.O 
10.2 

9.2 
9-3 

8.6 
8.8 

39 
40 

19.0 
19-3 

14-7 
14.9 

'2.5 

12.7 

II.  2 

"•3 

10.3 
10.4 

26 

H  7 

n.  8 

10.3 

9-5 

8.9 

41 

19.7 

15.1 

12.8 

i 

1.5 

10.5 

27 

15.0 

12.0 

10.5 

9.6 

9.0 

42 

20.0 

15-3 

13.0 

n.  6 

10.6 

28 

15-3 

12.2 

10.7 

9-7 

9-1 

43 

30.3 

15.6 

13.2 

11.7 

10.7 

29 

12.5 

10.8 

9-9 

9-2 

44 

20.7 

15.8 

13.3 

11.9 

10.8 

3° 

16.0 

12.7 

II.  0 

IO.O 

9-3 

45 

21.0 

16.0 

'3-5 

i 

2.0 

II.  0 

3i 

16.3 

12.9 

II  .2 

10.  I 

9-4 

46 

21-3 

16.1 

13.7 

12.1 

II.  I 

32 

16.7 

"•3 

10.3 

9-5 

I  tO  I 

I  to  2 

i  to  3 

i  to  4 

i  to  5 

Cement   .  .   

500 

333 

250 

200 

167 

Sand 

2W 

500 

666 

750 

800 

•*v 

833 

Time  of  Setting. 

21. — Method. — For  this  purpose  the  Vicat  Needle,  which  has  already 
been  described  in  paragraph  17,  should  be  used. 

22. — In  making  the  test,  a  paste  of  normal  consistency  is  molded  and 
placed  under  the  rod  (L),  Fig.  2,  as  described  in  paragraph  18;  this  rod, 
bearing  the  cap  (D)  at  one  end  and  the  needle  (//),  1  mm.  (0.039  in.)  in 
diameter,  at  the  other,  weighing  300  gr.  (10.58  oz.).  The  needle  is  then 
carefully  brought  in  contact  with  the  surface  of  the  paste  and  quickly 
released. 

23. — The  setting  is  said  to  have  commenced  when  the  needle  ceases 
to  pass  a  point  5  mm.  (0.20  in.)  above  the  upper  surface  of  the  glass  plate, 
and  is  said  to  have  terminated  the  moment  the  needle  does  not  sink  visibly 
into  the  mass. 

24. — The  test  pieces  should  be  stored  in  moist  air  during  the  test; 
this  is  accomplished  by  placing  them  on  a  rack  over  water  contained  in 
a  pan  and  covered  with  a  damp  cloth,  the  cloth  to  be  kept  away  from 
them  by  means  of  a  wire  screen ;  or  they  may  be  stored  in  a  moist  box  or 
closet. 

25. — Care  should  be  taken  to  keep  the  needle  clean,  as  the  collection 
of  cement  on  the  sides  of  the  needle  retards  the  penetration,  while  cement 
on  the  point  reduces  the  area  and  tends  to  increase  the  penetration. 

'3 


Report  of  Committee  on  Standard  Specifications  for  Cement 

26. — The  determination  of  the  time  of  setting  is  only  approximate, 
being  materially  affected  by  the  temperature  of  the  mixing  water,  the 
temperature  and  humidity  of  the  air  during  the  test,  the  percentage  of 
water  used,  and  the  amount  of  molding  the  paste  receives. 

Standard  Sand. 

27. — For  the  present,  the  Committee  recommends  the  natural  sand 
from  Ottawa,  III,  screened  to  pass  a  sieve  having  20  meshes  per  linear 
inch  and  retained  on  a  sieve  having  30  meshes  per  linear  inch;  the  wires 
to  have  diameters  of  0.0165  and  0.0112  in.,  respectively,  i.  e.,  half  the 
width  of  the  opening  in  each  case.  Sand  having  passed  the  No.  20  sieve 
shall  be  considered  standard  when  not  more  than  1  per  cent  passes  a  No. 
30  sieve  after  one  minute  continuous  sifting  of  a  500-gram  sample. 

28.— The  Sandusky  Portland  Cement  Company,  of  Sandusky,  Ohio, 
has  agreed  to  undertake  the  preparation  of  this  sand  and  to  furnish  it  at 
a  price  only  sufficient  to  cover  the  actual  cost  of  preparation. 


DETAILS  FOR  BRIQUETTE. 
FIG.  3. 


Report  of  Committee  on  Standard  Specifications  for  Cement 

Form  of  Briquette. 

29. — While  the  form  of  the  briquette  recommended  by  a  former  Com- 
mittee of  the  Society  is  not  wholly  satisfactory,  this  Committee  is  not  pre- 
pared to  suggest  any  change,  other  than  rounding  off  the  corners  by  curves 
of  l/2-\n.  radius,  Fig.  3. 

Molds. 

30. — The  molds  should  be  made  of  brass,  bronze  or  some  equally  non- 
corrodible  material,  having  sufficient  metal  in  the  sides  to  prevent  spreading 
during  molding. 

31. — Gang  molds,  which  permit  molding  a  number  of  briquettes  at 
one  time,  are  preferred  by  many  to  single  molds;  since  the  greater  quantity 
of  mortar  that  can  be  mixed  tends  to  produce  greater  uniformity  in  the 
results.  The  type  shown  in  Fig.  4  is  recommended. 

32. — The  molds  should  be  wiped  with  an  oily  cloth  before  using. 


DETAILS  FOR  GANG  MOLD. 

FIG.  4. 
Mixing. 

33. — All  proportions  should  be  stated  by  weight ;  the  quantity  of  water 
to  be  used  should  be  stated  as  a  percentage  of  the  dry  material. 

34. — The  metric  system  is  recommended  because  of  the  convenient 
relation  of  the  gram  and  the  cubic  centimeter. 

35. — The  temperature  of  the  room  and  the  mixing  water  should  be  as 
near  21°  C.  (70°  F.)  as  it  is  practicable  to  maintain  it. 

36. — The  sand  and  cement  should  be  thoroughly  mixed  dry.  The 
mixing  should  be  done  on  some  non-absorbing  surface,  preferably  plate 
glass.  If  the  mixing  must  be  be  done  on  an  absorbing  surface  it  should  be 
thoroughly  dampened  prior  to  use. 

37. — The  quantity  of  material  to  be  mixed  at  one  time  depends  on  the 
number  of  test  pieces  to  be  made;  about  1,000  gr.  (35.28  oz.)  makes  a  con- 
venient quantity  to  mix,  especially  by  hand  methods. 

3B.— Method. — The  material  is  weighed  and  placed  on  the  mixing  table, 
and  a  crater  formed  in  the  center,  into  which  the  proper  percentage  of  clean 
water  is  poured ;  the  material  on  the  outer  edge  is  turned  into  the  crater  by 
the  aid  of  a  trowel.  As  soon  as  the  water  has  been  absorbed,  which  should 
not  require  more  than  one  minute,  the  operation  is  completed  by  vigorously 
kneading  with  the  hands  for  an  additional  \l/t  minutes,  the  process  being 
similar  to  that  used  in  kneading  dough.  A  sandglass  affords  a  convenient 
guide  for  the  time  of  kneading.  During  the  operation  of  mixing,  the  hands 
should  be  protected  by  gloves,  preferably  of  rubber. 

IS 


Report  of  Committee  on  Standard  Specifications  for  Cement 


Molding. 

39. — Having  worked  the  paste  or  mortar  to  the  proper  consistency, 
it  is  at  once  placed  in  the  molds  by  hand. 

40. — Method. — The  molds  should  be  filled  at  once,  the  material  pressed 
in  firmly  with  the  fingers  and  smoothed  off  with  a  trowel  without  ramming ; 
the  material  should  be  heaped  up  on  the  upper  service  of  the  mold,  and, 
in  smoothing  off,  the  trowel  should  be  drawn  over  the  mold  in  such  a 
manner  as  to  exert  a  moderate  pressure  on  the  excess  material.  The  mold 
should  be  turned  over  and  the  operation  repeated. 

41. — A  check  upon  the  uniformity  of  the  mixing  and  molding  is  afforded 
by  weighing  the  briquettes  just  prior  to  immersion,  or  upon  removal  from 
the  moist  closet.  Briquettes  which  vary  in  weight  more  than  3  per  cent 
from  the  average  should  not  be  tested. 

Storage  of  the  Test  Pieces. 

42. — During  the  first  24  hours  after 
molding,  the  test  pieces  should  be  kept 
in  moist  air  to  prevent  them  from 
drying  out. 

43. — A  moist  closet  or  chamber  is  so 
easily  devised  that  the  use  of  the  damp 
cloth  should  be  abandoned  if  possible. 
Covering  the  test  pieces  with  a  damp 
cloth  is  objectionable,  as  commonly 
used,  because  the  cloth  may  dry  out 
unequally,  and  in  consequence  the  test 
pieces  are  not  all  maintained  under 
the  same  condition.  Where  a  moist 
closet  is  not  available,  a  cloth  may  be 
used  and  kept  uniformly  wet  by  im- 
mersing the  ends  in  water.  It  should 
be  kept  from  direct  contact  with  the 
test  pieces  by  means  of  a  wire  screen 
or  some  similar  arrangement. 

44. — A  moist  closet  consists  of  a 
soapstone  or  slate  box,  or  a  metal- 
lined  wooden  box— the  metal  lining 
being  covered  with  felt  and  this  felt 
kept  wet  The  bottom  of  the  box  is 
so  constructed  as  to  hold  water,  and 
the  sides  are  provided  with  cleats  for 
holding  glass  shelves  on  which  to 
place  the  briquettes.  Care  should  be 
taken  to  keep  the  air  in  the  closet  uni- 
formly moist. 

16 


FORM  OF  CLIP.    FIG.  5. 


Report  of  Committee  on  Standard  Specifications  for  Cement 

45.  —  After  24  hours  in  moist  air,  the  test  pieces  for  longer  periods  of 
time  should  be  immersed  in  water  maintained  as  near  21°  C.  (70°  F.)  as 
practicable  ;  they  may  be  stored  in  tanks  or  pans,  which  should  be  of  non- 
corrodible  material. 

Tensile  Strength. 

46.—  The  tests  may  be  made  on  any  standard  machine.  A  solid  metal 
clip,  as  shown  in  Fig  5,  is  recommended.  This  clip  is  to  be  used  without 
cushioning  at  the  points  of  contact  with  the  test  specimen.  The  bearing 
at  each  point  of  contact  should  be  ^A  in.  wide,  and  the  distance  between 
the  center  of  contact  on  the  same  clip  should  be  1%  ins. 

47.  —  Test  pieces  should  be  broken  as  soon  as  they  are  removed  from 
the  water.     Care  should  be  observed  in  centering  the  briquettes  in  the 
testing  machine,  as  cross-strains,  produced  by  improper  centering,  tend  to 
lower  the  breaking  strength.    The  load  should  not  be  applied  too  suddenly, 
as   it   may  produce   vibration,   the   shock   from   which   often   breaks   the 
briquette  before  the  ultimate  strength  is  reached.     Care  must  be  taken 
that  the  clips  and  the  sides  of  the  briquette  be  clean  and  free  from  grains 
of  sand  or  dirt  which  would  prevent  a  good  bearing.    The  load  should  be 
applied  at  the  rate  of  600  Ibs.  per  minute.    The  average  of  the  briquettes 
of  each  sample  tested  should  be  taken  as  the  test,  excluding  any  results 
which  are  manifestly  faulty. 

Constancy  of  Volume. 

48.  —  Methods.  —  Tests  for  constancy  of  volume  are  divided  into  two 
classes:     (1)  normal  tests,  or  those  made  in  either  air  or  water  maintained 
at  about  21°  C.  (70°  F.),  and  (2)  accelerated  tests,  or  those  made  in  air, 
steam  or  water  at  a  temperature  of  45°  C.   (115°  F.)  and  upward.    The 
test  pieces  should  be  allowed  to  remain  24  hours  in    moist    air    before 
immersion  in  water  or  steam,  or  preservation  in  air. 

49.—  For  these  tests,  pats  about  7l/2  cm.  (2.95  ins.)  in  diameter,  1%  cm. 
(0.49  in.)  thick  at  the  center,  and  tapering  to  a  thin  edge,  should  be  made, 
upon  a  clean  glass  plate  [about  10  cm.  (3.94  ins.)  square],  from  cement 
paste  of  normal  consistency. 

50.  —  Normal  Test.  —  A  pat  is  immersed  in  water  maintained  as  near 
21°  C.  (70°  F.)  as  possible  for  28  days,  and  observed  at  intervals.    A  sim- 
ilar pat  is  maintained  in  air  at  ordinary  temperature  and   observed   at 
intervals. 

51.  —  Accelerated  Test.  —  A  pat  is  exposed  in  any  convenient  way  in 
an  atmosphere  of  steam,  above  boiling  water,  in  a  loosely  closed  vessel. 

52.  —  To  pass  these  tests  satisfactorily,  the  pats  should   remain  firm 
and  hard,  and  show  no  signs  of  cracking,  distortion  or  disintegration. 

53.  Should  the  pat  leave  the  plate,  distortion  may  be  detected  best 
with  a  straight-edge  applied  to  the  surface  which  was  in  contact  with  the 
plate. 

17 


1  8-1  98 


Universal 
Portland  Cement 


A    Standard    Portland 
for   Universal   use 


Daily  output:    6,000  barrels 


Cement  Department 
Illinois   Steel    Company 

The  Rookery,  Chicago 


UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  LIBRARY 

Los  Angeles 
This  book  is  DUE  on  the  last  date  stamped  below. 


CHEMISTRY  LIBRARY 

'  >3342 


DEC  01  1994 


825-3342 


315 


UNIVERSITY  of  CALIFORNIA 

AT 

U>S  ANGELBS 
L1BKAKX 


Universit 
Southe 
Libra 


